Event Dates
From: Friday, June 6, 2025
To: Sunday, June 8, 2025
Capital City Pride 2025
The annual Capital City Pride Festival celebration is held on the second weekend in June every summer.
Capital City Pride 2025
The annual Capital City Pride Festival celebration is held on the second weekend in June every summer.
Get ready for a weekend of fun as Iowa’s most liberal city is awash in rainbows and hot guys for the annual Capital City Pride festival.
- Visiting for Pride? Stay in the East Village, home to the city’s buzzing gay bars and clubs. Stay in the Surety Hotel, one of Des Moines’ most gay friendly destinations and close to all of the popular bars and clubs in the city.
Capital City PrideFest
- Friday 6th and Saturday 7th June, 2025 – Des Moines hosts a weekend of pride events and celebrations in the historic East Village district each year in early June.
- The pride festival attracts more than 40,000 visitors over the weekend, and includes a parade, live shows and performances, a pet parade and a pageant.
Capital City Pride Main Parade
- Sunday 8th June, 2025 – The Veridian main parade takes place at noon on Sunday. The parade is expected to last three hours with the last contingent passing 14th and R at 3.30 pm.
- Music and entertainment begins at the announcement stand and review stand at 3:30pm.
The Block Party
- Friday and Saturday – The Block Party begins at 3.30pm just as the parade ends and continues through the night until 10pm.
- The bock party offers beverages, food trucks, and facilities on 15th Street between P and Church Streets. Live music, DJS and shows will entertain visitors throughout the evening.
Other Events
Each year the gay bars and clubs of Des Moines host popular gay pride events in the lead up to the parade. Some of the most popular include:
- Bubba’s Drag Brunch is a popular event during pride. Enjoy some southern cooking as DSM’s top drag personalities put on an unforgettable performance.
- Pride at Adventureland Park. Kick off your Pride Fest weekend with a day at Adventureland Park. From watersides, roller coasters and the water park. great fun! To be confirmed
- Pride Pet Parade is one of the most enjoyable events taking place during the festival. Schedule an appointment at the groomers, put on your best leash and collar combo and join Capital City Pride for the second annual Pride Pet Parade at the Brenton Skating Plaza.
- Drag King DSM Don’t miss out on Drag King DSM as they perform for their annual Pride Fest event at Wooly’s Des Moines.
The Garden Night Club
- The Garden Night Club hosts a series of events across the weekend including the popular, Mr, Ms, Mx Pride Contest with a different theme each year. Other events include the Capital Bears Bingo, outside stage entertainment, drag shows, a grill out and more.
Gay Des Moines
The Jewel of the Midwest, Des Moines is located in the middle of the heartland. Iowa’s largest city is an exciting place to visit. In the heart of the city you can find the Iowa State Capital, the Iowa Historical Building, and the beautifully restored Court Avenue and Fourth Street areas.
Des Moines has a vibrant gay community, with several gay bars in the East Village. From here, through Sherman Hill to Drake University there are gay-friendly neighborhoods. Waking is a great way to see Des Moines. Downtown has a unique Skywalk system connecting you to a variety of shops and restaurants.
- McKinley-Columbus Park is an historical area with narrower streets just steps to the gay clubs downtown.
- The River Bend neighborhood is located near the River. Its main thoroughfare, 3rd Street, cuts through both the business and entertainment districts in town. It has a lovely town square full of wonderful restaurants and shops.
- The Indianola Hills is downtown, and close to most things in the city. The neighborhood boasts plenty of lofts, cafes, and trendy shops and restaurants. It offers wide, tree-lined streets, and is close to the Raccoon River, which offers an area with many hiking and cycling trails.
- Blazing Saddle – Popular leather bar with guest porn stars, the Mr Iowa Leather contest and popular beer busts.
- Buddy’s – Relaxed mixed neighborhood bar next to Blazing Saddle.
- The Garden – Host to many of the biggest gay parties and events in the region. The venue has four bars, live shows, a patio, sexy strippers, guest porn stars and drag shows.
Where to stay during Des Moines Pride?
The following hotels are close to the city’s gay bars and pride festivities:
Surety Hotel, Staybridge Suites, Hilton, Hampton Inn & Suites
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Where we stay!
Surety Hotel is our editors
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Official Website
For further information and advice on
Capital City Pride visit The Website
Gay Map of DES MOINES
435 Park Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
features accommodations with a restaurant, private parking, a fitness center and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service. The hotel has an indoor pool and an ATM. All rooms at the hotel are fitted with a seating area, a desk
201 East Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Every suite features a flat-screen TV with cable channels, desk, and sofa bed. Each Suite includes a fully equipped kitchen which includes a stove, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and dining table. A 24-hour front desk along with a fitness center and meeting room.
206 6th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Surety Hotel features a restaurant, fitness center, a bar and shared lounge in Des Moines. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge.
120 SW Water St, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
A 40-inch flat-screen cable TV is provided in every room at Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown, along with a microwave, fridge, and coffeemaker. The private bathrooms also come with a hairdryer. Extras include a desk and ironing facilities, an indoor pool
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Capitol View 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom Apartments by Frontdesk features free WiFi. Each unit features a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, a living room with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Apartments near Riverwalk Trails with Balcony by Frontdesk features free WiFi. Each unit features a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, a living room with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Downtown Studio 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom Apartments by Frontdesk features free WiFi. Each unit features a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, a living room with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
550 Watson Powell Jr Way, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Offering air conditioning and free WiFi. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a bathroom with shower. A microwave, a fridge, oven, kettle & a coffee machine.
525 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Voted BEST Dance venue in Des Moines for over 10 years and serving the community for more than 35!
Offering dinner and brunch drag shows along with our various other entertaining shows
418 East 5th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Down to earth local gay bar popular with an older clientele
416 East 5th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
The Blazing Saddle is the oldest gay bar in Des Moines and has been known as the Gay “Cheers” since it opened in 1983.
The Saddle (as most people call it) is open 365 days a year without fail so you always have somewhere to go.
Offering Happy Hour, Charity Beer Busts, Trivia Nights and Drag Shows
Recommended Hotels in Des Moines By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Des Moines that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Surety Hotel
4 Star – Central Location
- 4-Star, Restaurant and Fitness Center
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Elegant, modern rooms
- Central location, exceptional service, comfortable & modern ambiance for a memorable stay
Staybridge Suites
4 Star, Luxury
- 4-Star Luxury, Fully Equipped Kitchen
- Close to the gay district
- Spacious, modern suites
- Perfect for extended stays, luxurious amenities, prime location in vibrant East Village
Hilton
4 Star – Great Amenities
- 4-Star, Indoor Pool, Excellent Restaurant
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Comfortable, well-appointed rooms
- Upscale experience, excellent amenities, close to major attractions
Hampton Inn & Suites
3 Star – Comfort
- 3-Star, Indoor Pool, Comfortable Rooms
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Cozy, well-equipped rooms
- Comfortable & affordable, convenient access to downtown attractions
Video Of Capital City Pride
Des Moines Hosts Pride Fest Parade
Other Events in June
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Andrew Stevens2018-05-16 13:00:032024-08-28 10:41:00Vivid Sydney Festival
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admin2014-12-02 13:49:432024-08-03 15:41:00Lisbon Bear Pride
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